For localization and communication purposes, the abdomen is divided into six regions These regions are Right and left Hypochondrium Epigastric Right and left lumbar umbilical Right and left iliac Hypogastrium A better classification, however, is that divides the abdomen into four quadrants namely Right Upper Left upper Right lower quadrant Left lower quadrant However, the […]
Presentation
Clinical Examination Of Abdomen
Like all other examinations, the examination of the abdomen begins with the history of the patient. A patient of abdominal disorder may present with numerous symptoms which must be asked whilst taking the history and noted on examination. History The history begins by asking the patient about the main complaints. Then we move on to […]
Jugular Venous Pulse or Jugular venous Pressure or JVP
The jugular venous pressure or sometimes referred to as jugular venous pulse (jvp) is the indirectly observed pressure via visualization of the internal jugular vein. Normal Jugular Venous Pulse The normal JVP consists of three positive pulse waves a, c and v and two negative pulse waves x and y. The ‘A’ Wave The ‘a’ […]
Hypotension- Types, Causes and Treatment
Hypotension is a medical term for low blood pressure especially in systemic circulation [arterial circulation that supplies different organs of the body. Because the blood pressure is lowered, heart, brain, and other parts of the body do not get enough blood. The normal blood pressures are in the range of 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. […]
Fever- Causes, Types, Symptoms and Treatment
Fever is a condition where the body temperature goes above the normal range. The normal range is 36–37° Centigrade or 98–100° Fahrenheit). Fever is a very common symptom occurring due to infection, inflammation or other body conditions releasing pyrogens. Pyrexia is another term for it. Body’s core temperature is controlled by anterior hypothalamus. Pyrogens released […]
Edema or Swelling – Types , Causes and Treatment
Edema is the collection of fluid in the interstitial spaces or serous cavities. This could occur due to inflammation of the part or changes in hydrostatic pressure across vessels becomes evident only when 5-6 liters of fluid has accumulated in the water depots. There could be many causes, localized, for example, in the ankle, to […]
Digital Clubbing or Nail Clubbing – Causes and Grading
Digital clubbing or nail clubbing or finger clubbing is bulbous enlargement of soft parts of the terminal phalanges with both transverse and longitudinal curving of the nails. The swelling of the terminal phalanges in clubbing occurs due to interstitial edema and dilation of the arterioles and capillaries. Digital clubbing is also called fingernail clubbing or […]
Lymphadenopathy – Sites, Causes and Characteristics in Different Conditions
Lymphadenopathy means lymph nodes which are abnormal in size, number or consistency and is often used as a synonym for swollen or enlarged lymph nodes. Image from Wikipedia under GNFL Causes of Lymphadenopathy Reactive Enlargement of lymph nodes in response to infection or injury somewhere in the body. Inflammatory Lymphadenitis Bacterial infection Tuberculosis Filariasis Syphilis […]
Cyanosis – Defintion, Types and Causes
Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the nails, skin and/or mucosa due to the increased amount of reduced hemoglobin (Hb). An amount of more than 5 gm% in capillary blood is required for these symptoms to manifest. Unreduced hemoglobin is the form of hemoglobin in red blood cells after the oxygen of oxyhemoglobin is released in […]
How To Measure Body Temperature?
Normal body temperature changes in response to many conditions. Measuring body temperature is necessary to find and document abnormal temperature. There are many methods to measure body temperature. What most people think of a “normal” body temperature [which is an oral temperature of 98.6°F] is an average of normal body temperatures in a large population […]